Fireworks on the Fourth and New Year's Eve send many cats under the bed. Whether you board or stay home, the plan is the same: a safe, enclosed place and no open doors.
What veterinary groups advise
AAHA's holiday guidance suggests a quiet, enclosed room, such as a bathroom or an interior closet, with curtains drawn to block flashes and white noise or music to cover the booms. It adds that a box, basket or carrier as a hiding place calms many cats, and that doors and windows should stay closed because a panicked cat can bolt. The AVMA's July 4 safety page repeats the keep-them-inside advice and notes that microchips and ID tags help a lost pet get home. For strong reactions, talk to your veterinarian well ahead of the holiday.
If you board over the holiday
Each cat at Happy Paws has an individual four-level condo with its own litter box and blanket, and the cattery has cat houses to hide in. Bring a worn T-shirt or blanket that smells like home. A condo is $35 a night on the 2026 rates.
Holiday hours and deposit windows
Stays that begin from 7 days before through 7 days after a major holiday need a 50% non-refundable deposit 30 days before drop-off. The Fourth of July 2027 window runs for stays starting June 27 through July 11, and the Christmas and New Year window runs December 18, 2026 through January 8, 2027. Cancel at least 7 days ahead and the deposit becomes account credit. Please call 707-678-6600 to confirm, or use the holiday deposit checker.
| Holiday | Kennel hours |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day | Closed all day |
| Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve | Close at 3:00 PM, afternoon window 1:00 to 3:00 |
If your cat stays home
- Set up the quiet room before dark, with water, a litter box and the hiding spot.
- Close the windows and keep the doors shut, including the screen door.
- Make sure the ID tag and microchip details are current.
- Stay with your cat if you can.